England Maintains Perfect World Cup Qualifying Record with Victory Over Serbia
England maintained their perfect record in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley Stadium.
BBC Sport football reporter Alex Howell evaluates the players' performances from Thursday's match, and readers can find their ratings at the bottom of the page.
Starting XI
Jordan Pickford: England's goalkeeper had little to do and did not face any significant saves. Rating: 6
Reece James: Dominating the game, James spent most of his time in attacking positions, facing minimal pressure defensively. He appears to be the first-choice right-back under manager Thomas Tuchel. Rating: 6
Ezri Konsa: Konsa, like the rest of the defensive line, had a comfortable evening. He was effective on the ball, initiating attacks from the back, with only one counter-attack posing a threat. Rating: 6
John Stones: The Manchester City defender moved into midfield when Serbia failed to apply pressure, showcasing a promising partnership with Konsa. He faced little defensive work. Rating: 6
Nico O'Reilly: O'Reilly enjoyed a smooth debut, making significant contributions from left-back and almost scoring with a deflected cross. His shot in the first half led to England's opening goal, making him a strong contender for the starting left-back position in the World Cup. Rating: 7
Elliot Anderson: Establishing himself in the midfield, Anderson delivered another solid performance, solidifying his place as a likely starter for the World Cup. Rating: 7
Declan Rice: Although quieter than usual, Rice displayed his stamina and maintained a constant threat with his set-piece deliveries. Rating: 6
Morgan Rogers: Rogers played a crucial role in initiating an attack in the first half, linking up well with Bukayo Saka. He nearly scored with a flicked header. Rating: 7
Marcus Rashford: Rashford provided moments of excitement, including impressive runs and shots, despite the overall performance being lackluster. Rating: 7
Bukayo Saka: Saka scored a superb goal in the first half, volleying in the rebound from O'Reilly's shot. He is developing a strong partnership with James on the right flank. Rating: 7
Harry Kane: The England captain played deeper to help break down Serbia's defense, contributing with several excellent passes but missed a clear chance with a header. Rating: 6
Substitutes
Eberechi Eze: Coming on as one of four substitutes, Eze showcased his dribbling skills and capped off the match with a stunning curled strike into the top corner. Rating: 7
Phil Foden: Foden replaced Kane and played as a striker, actively seeking the ball and thrilling the crowd. He provided a late assist for Eze's goal during a counter-attack. Rating: 7
Jude Bellingham: The Real Madrid midfielder contributed to a notable attacking move with James as England aimed to extend their lead. Rating: 6
Jordan Henderson: Henderson came on, took over the captaincy, and played a deeper role alongside Anderson as England secured their victory. Rating: 6
How BBC Sport Readers Rated the Players